Panel votes to shield audit records from FOI lawLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Records related to a public college or university's audit would be kept secret until the audit is presented to the school's governing board under a measure heading to the Arkansas Senate for a vote. The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday endorsed a proposal to create an exemption from the state's Freedom of Information Act for "working papers" related to a higher education institution's audit. The exemption would be in ...

Senate panel OKs immunity in drug overdose casesLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A state Senate panel has endorsed legislation granting immunity to people seeking medical treatment for themselves or others after a drug overdose after hearing emotional testimony from the parents of a Conway man who died after taking a lethal combination of prescription drugs. The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Wednesday advanced the proposal preventing the arrest or prosecution of someone for drug-re...

Senate panel supports abortion pill restrictionsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Proposed new limits on the abortion pill advanced to a final vote in the state Senate on Wednesday, despite objections from opponents that the Legislature was overstepping its bounds in telling doctors how to do their job. The proposal endorsed by the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on a 5-2 vote would override doctors and require abortion pill providers to follow guidelines set by the U.S. Food and Drug Ad...

Senate OKs easing rules for education commissionerLITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas Senate has voted to reduce the qualifications needed in a state education commissioner. Gov. Asa Hutchinson wants the change so a former state senator he wants for the job can hold it. The bill approved by the Senate on a 24-6 vote on Wednesday would ease the requirement that the commissioner hold a master's degree from an accredited institution, have had 10 years' experience as a teacher, including five as an a...

House supports bill to arm teachers, staffLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas school districts could utilize teachers, administrators and other staff as armed guards under legislation headed to the desk of Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson. The Arkansas House voted 87-1 Wednesday to advance the bill that would let the Arkansas State Police manage the licensing of armed staff. It would abolish a board which currently handles those duties. The move was in response to the board deciding in 2013 to ...

House endorses bill to freeze state exchange plansLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Gov. Asa Hutchinson is expected to sign a bill that would halt Arkansas' plan to set up its own insurance exchange under the federal health law until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a lawsuit about subsidies. House members voted 74-11 Wednesday to advance the bill. A Hutchinson spokesman previously said the governor would sign it. The measure was approved in the Senate last week on the same day the nation's highest court hea...

Best Care Training to be held in AprilThe Best Care child care provider training for 2015 is being offered by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service on Monday evenings, April 6, 13 and 20. The purpose of the training is to provide 10 hours of education to improve child care in Arkansas. The training ensures the requirements for verified training through Traveling Arkansas’ Professional Pathways. The training will benefit child care provide...

Phillips honored at tribal councilTAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation honored three Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans with the Cherokee Medal of Patriotism during its Tribal Council meeting on Feb. 26. Gregory S. Phillips, 46, of Clarksville, was among those honored with a medal and plaque from Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden and Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. acknowledging their service to the country. Dustin M. Butler, 35, of Tahlequah and Mitchell E. Guinn, 49, of Oke...

Donkey basketball rides in FridayThe annual Atkins donkey basketball game will be conducted 6 p.m. Friday at the high school gym to benefit the Atkins High School After Prom. The event will feature radio personalities Jarrett Jackson and Jesse Hays; Atkins Superintendent Mark Gotcher; Pope County Sheriff Shane Jones; Lady Red Devil basketball coach Craig Pinion; and Atkins school board member Mark Coffman. Although a full roster has yet to be released, additional people who’v...

Panel sets hearing for veterans city parkThe Russellville Recreation and Parks Commission learned Tuesday that Old Shorty Park was approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to become a city park. Recreation and Parks Director Mack Hollis and Allen Kimball told commissioners a public hearing needed to be set before Old Shorty Park was renamed Veterans Memorial Park and to discuss development plans for the new park, which borders Bona Dea Trail and Sanctuary. The commission set a pu...

City council accepts plans for new local aquatic centerThe Russellville City Council voted 5-1 during Tuesday’s special meeting to accept the preliminary design plans by ETC in Little Rock for the aquatic center. Mayor Randy Horton said after Tuesday’s three meetings that ETC will begin working on a final design and might have it ready to begin bidding in three to four months. Alderman Mark Tripp was the only dissenting vote. In favor of accepting the preliminary design were Aldermen Larry Brown, ...

Obituary: John BlasczykJohn Blasczyk, 77, of Russellville died Saturday, March 7, 2015, at his home. He was born Oct. 29, 1937, in Pulaski, Wis., to Edward Joseph and Ida Ann Schwartz Blasczyk. He was an employee of ConAgra for nearly 40 years, a member of the American Association of Retired Persons where he volunteered as a tax preparer, a United States Air Force veteran and a member of St. John’s Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, ...

Obituary: Martha HiltonMartha Alice Hilton, 85, of Russellville died Tuesday, March 10, 2015. She was born July 31, 1929, at Bass to George Hamilton Thomas and Ruth McCutcheon Dodson. She was a member of West Side Church of Christ for almost 30 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Billy Rex Hilton; and a brother, Kenneth Dodson. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, James and Becky Hilton of Russellville; a daughter and son-in-law, Ci...

Obituary: Susie BoleyDARDANELLE — Susan “Susie” Dene Boley, 71, of Dover died Sunday, March 8, 2015, at her home. She was born Oct. 12, 1943, at Russellville to the late Guy Luther and Mora Dene Combs Russell. She was a member of the Dover Church of Christ and she loved shopping, traveling and most of all spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Alan Albert Russell. Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Nub Bol...

Obituary: James McCoyJames “Henry” McCoy, 69, of Russellville departed this life Monday, March 9, 2015, in Little Rock. He was born Nov. 11, 1945, to Velma Jo McCoy. He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Walter Young; and one brother, Ed Young. Survivors include his two sisters, Jessie Fuller and husband, Clarence, and Darlene Flud, all of Russellville; and several nieces and nephews. All arrangements are private and under the direction of Broussa...

Obituary: Mike LitseyDARDANELLE — Michael Harold Litsey, 60, of Russellville died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, at his home. He was born Sept. 29, 1954, at Russellville to Harold Jackson Litsey and Sarah Mae Sharp Litsey. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Litsey and his grandparents. Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Sarah and Charles White of Ola; son, Andrew Green of Russellville; one sister, Kim Cossey and husband Randy of Delaware; niece, Sh...

Obituary: Louise HughesCLARKSVILLE — Mrs. Louise Hughes, 76, of Fort Douglas passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2015. She was born July 24, 1938, in Fallsville to Sherman and Delia (Boen) Case. She is preceded in death by her husband, Nolan; parents; and sister, Gearlene Cardwell. She is survived by her sons, Charles “Chuck” Hughes of Fort Douglas and Faubus Quinton Hughes of Fort Douglas; sisters, Velda and Don Bean of Lutherville, Vonda and Danny Hudson of Charlest...

Obituary: Barbara WackerCLARKSVILLE — Mrs. Barbara Wacker, 80, of Russellville passed away March 6, 2015, at River Valley Hospice. She was born Oct. 22, 1934, in Monticello, Ind., to Leo Virgil and Beula E. (Beaver) Gross. Barbara was a member of the American Legion in White Lake, Minn., and spent many years in Iowa and Minnesota before moving to Clarksville to retire. She loved birds, cooking, flowers and traveling. Mrs. Wacker is preceded in death by her husbands, ...

News Briefs (March 11, 2015)RHS Class of ’62 lunch Thursday The Russellville High School Class of 1962 will meet for lunch at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Western Sizzlin’ in Russellville. All RHS classes of the 1960s are invited to attend. For information, call (479) 968-6394. CASA to hold Meet and Greet Thursday Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the 5th Judicial District invite the public to attend a Meet and Greet at 6 p.m. on Thursday at The Journey, located at 3...

Dover passes millage by 150 votesAfter two failed attempts, Dover voters finally approved a 3.2-mill increase by a vote of 696 to 546, according to final, unofficial results posted by the Pope County Election Commission Tuesday. More than 56 percent of voters voted for the millage increase, while just under 44 percent voted against. The 3.2-mill increase was the district's third and final try to fund the construction of 26 new classrooms, 10 renovated technology-ready classro...